Karongwe River Lodge

With river views and private viewing decks, Karongwe River Lodge offers an enchanting bush getaway for luxurious relaxation and thrilling adventures. River Lodge boasts an immersion into the essence of nature with attentive integration of raw elements into its design style. Indoor areas combine modern design trends with natural materials, timber, and thatch for an extraordinary feeling of being in the outdoors, yet in warmth, comfort, and luxury. Karongwe River Lodge’s main lounge area opens to an expansive viewing deck for relaxed game viewing or spend afternoons soaking up the sun next to the pool side. Contemporary African-inspired dining can be savoured at the deck, indoor dining area, or surrounded by lanterns and crackling fires in the boma.

Karongwe Private Game Reserve boasts 9000 hectares of protected land teeming with wildlife, diverse flora, and intriguing birdlife with an impressive backdrop of the Drakensberg mountain range. Overlapped by four rivers, the reserve is perfectly located to draw animal and birdlife to these water sources. Located just 45 minutes from the expansive Kruger National Park, Karongwe River Lodge offers an exclusive game viewing experience, with convenient proximity to Krugers expanse of diverse ecosystems.

Expert game rangers and trackers at Karongwe Private Game Reserve showcase a wealth of knowledge, cultural richness, and extraordinary game tracking abilities. Day and night drives are undertaken in specialized 4-wheel safari vehicles, with guides going out of their way to get you up close to Africa’s breath-taking wildlife including lion, leopard, rhino, elephant, buffalo, cheetah and African wild dog. Karongwe River Lodge also offers guests exclusive interactive cooking opportunities, anti-poaching walks, bush picnics, and photography workshops. Karongwe is home to several other 4-star and 5-star lodges speard out over the reserve.

Wildlife

  • Highest population density of the Big 5 with frequent sightings.
  • Other wildlife include but are not limited to the hippopotamus, giraffe, zebra, cheetah, wild dog, hyaena, warthog,  black-backed jackal, large herds of elephant and many other cat and antelope species.
  • Over 500 bird species have been recorded in the region, many are seen at the reserve.

Game Drives

  • Game drives take place twice a day in the early mornings and afternoons for a duration of 3-4 hours.
  • Game drives are led by an experienced guide and tracker team.
  • Vehicles are allowed to go off road to track and follow the wildlife.
  • Strict traverse rules are in place and vehicle numbers are limited in each reserve. A maximum of two vehicles are allowed at any sighting.
  • Night drives and guided bush walks are permitted.

Activities & Facilities

  • Game drives
  • Guided bushwalks
  • Stargazing
  • Birdwatching
  • Swimming Pool
  • Restaurant
  • Open-air traditional African Boma
  • Spa & Gym
  • Large viewing deck
  • Bar & lounges

Highlights

  • 5-star family-friendly safari lodge in the heart of the bush.
  • Stunning  views over the Makhutsi River.
  • The lounge area opens onto a spacious deck, offering endless opportunities to observe elephants and other wildlife.
  • 5 Luxury suites, 2 Family suites, 2 Executive suites and 2 Presidential suites.
  • Each suite has a viewing deck and the Presidential suites have private plunge pools.
  • Dining under the stars with Pan-African cuisine served in a traditional African Boma.
  • Exciting Big-5 game drives with game rangers and trackers.

Location

  • Located on the very western side of the Greater Kruger, sharing fenced borders with the Makalali Game Reserve.
  • The Kruger National Park is almost 2 million hectares and lies in the north-eastern corner of South Africa in the Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces.

Getting There

  • Hoedspruit (HDS) is the closet commercial airport to the Karongwe River Lodge, daily flights operate from Johannesburg and Cape Town.
  • Flight time from Johannesburg to Hoedspruit: 60 minutes.
  • Flight time from Cape Town to Hoedspruit: 2 hours 30 minutes.
  • Road transfers from Hoedspruit to Karongwe River Lodge take 60 minutes.

Child Policy

  • Karongwe River Lodge welcomes children of all ages.
  • Children under 4 years are not permitted on game drives.
  • Children aged 4–5 years may participate at the discretion of lodge management after an on-site evaluation or with a private vehicle (subject to availability and at an extra cost).
  • Children 6 years and older may join scheduled drives.
  • Children 0 – 2 years stay free of charge.
  • Children aged 3–11 years are charged 50% of the adult rate when sharing a family unit with adults.

Inclusions & Exclusions

  • Included: 2 x Game drives per day, all meals, teas, coffees and snacks.
  • Excluded: Beverages, airport transfers, and anything of personal nature.

Rates

  • The updated rates are displayed for each room category below.
  • Rates are charged per person, per night.
  • Single supplement of 50% applicable.
  • Rates displayed are valid until 31 December 2026.

Seasons

  • Peak season: 01 May – 31 July
  • High season: 01 January – 30 April & 01 August – 31 December
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Visiting such a diverse country necessitates some expertise to determine which area, lodge and transport will suit you best. Whether you are a family, couple or traveling solo, we’ll guide you to the perfect place for an incredible safari experience

Luxury Suites

5 Luxury Suites are stylishly decorated and feature private viewing decks with stunning views. Each suite has a en-suite bathroom with double vanity, Read morelarge walk-in shower and Victorian slipper bath. Bedrooms offer king size beds draped with mosquito netting, air-conditioning and coffee/tea facilities. Read Less

High Season$ 599per person per night
Low Season$ 361per person per night

Family Suite

The 2 Family Suites comprise a double bed and three single beds each. En-suite bathrooms provide a double vanity, large walk-in shower and Victorian slipper bath. Read more Bedrooms offer beds draped in mosquito netting, air-conditioning and coffee/tea facilities. Read Less

High Season$ 599per person per night
Low Season$ 361per person per night

Executive Suites

Executive Suites are extra spacious and feature a private viewing deck with stunning views. En-suite bathrooms provide a double vanity, Read morelarge walk-in shower and Victorian slipper bath. Bedrooms offer King sized beds draped in mosquito netting, air-conditioning and coffee/tea facilities. Read Less

High Season$ 634per person per night
Low Season$ 509per person per night

Presidential Suites

The Presidential Suites are secluded from the main lodge and feature a private viewing deck with plunge pool, overlooking a dam . Read more The suites offer two queen beds draped in mosquito netting, a lounge and dining area. En-suite bathrooms provide double showers and luxurious Victorian slipper bath. Read Less

High Season$ 667per person per night
Low Season$ 549per person per night

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